Assessment overview

Content is in six modules:

• Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics
• Module 2: Foundations in physics
• Module 3: Forces and motion
• Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons
• Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics
• Module 6: Particles and medical physics

All components include synoptic assessment.

Students must complete all components (01, 02, 03, and 04) to be awarded the OCR A Level in Physics A.

Content overview

The six modules are each divided into key topics:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination
• Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement

Module 2: Foundations in physics

• Physical quantities and units
• Making measurements and analysing data
• Nature of quantities

Module 3: Forces and motion

• Motion
• Forces in action
• Work, energy and power
• Materials
• Newton’s laws of motion and momentum

Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons

• Charge and current
• Energy, power and resistance
• Electrical circuits
• Waves
• Quantum physics

Module 5: Newtonian world and astrophysics

• Thermal physics
• Circular motion
• Oscillations
• Gravitational fields
• Astrophysics and cosmology

Module 6: Particles and medical physics

• Capacitors
• Electric fields
• Electromagnetism
• Nuclear and particle physics
• Medical imaging

Students gain practical skills throughout the course. These are assessed in the written examinations and in the practical endorsement (component 04). Activities that could count towards the practical endorsement are indicated in the specification.

Assessment overview

Content is in four modules:

• Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics
• Module 2: Foundations in physics
• Module 3: Forces and motion
• Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons

Both components include synoptic assessment.

Students must complete both components (01 and 02) to be awarded the OCR AS Level in Physics A.

Content overview

The four modules are each divided into key topics:

Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination

Module 2: Foundations in physics

• Physical quantities and units
• Making measurements and analysing data
• Nature of quantities

Module 3: Forces and motion

• Motion
• Forces in action
• Work, energy and power
• Materials
• Newton’s laws of motion and momentum

Module 4: Electrons, waves and photons

• Charge and current
• Energy, power and resistance
• Electrical circuits
• Waves
• Quantum physics

Practical skills are embedded throughout all content to enhance students’ theoretical understanding and practical skills.